Mairo Arde:
I used to take photos in punk shows, that’s how I became involved with photography. I loved reading punk fanzine’s with a lot of graphic content (photos, illustrations), collecting Cd’s and Vinyls. I was really into the „art“ side of the scene. Punk teach me appreciate art and then I discover photography.

I guess I always was interested in fashion, but never explored that „world“ before. I started doing my own stuff: graphic, kinda weird and artsy shoots, and then clients started to show up. This month, April 2017, I’m celebrating my first year as fashion photographer.

My first camera was a cheap Point and Shoot with a fake fisheye. I think it was a FUJIfilm camera, not sure.

Elle:
How do you pick your models? What kind of features should a model have to work with you?

Mairo Arde:
I love unique faces, big mouths, big eyes, strong looks. I don’t know, I’m not that into classic things. BUT, I’m from Chile, South America and we don’t have that many options. Yes, models fly from all over the world here but usually very „commercial looking“ ones. For me, models have to be great actresses and be able to give me options, impersonate different moods and looks. And be friendly I guess, that’s important to me and my team too.

Elle:
Would you give a brief walk through your work flow?

Mairo Arde:
I love to work with moodboards, so everyone is on the same page.

It’s pretty simple:
– Moodboad
– Show the moodboard to the team (makeup, stylist, assistant) via email
– Find the right model
– Find studio or location
– *the day of the shot* Quick talk with everyone, go through the moodboard again.
– Set up the light (less is more for me)
– SHOOT
– *at the end of the shoot* quick selection of every look with the team.
– Final selection at home
– Retouching
– Finally submit to magazines.

And when I’m shooting a campaign, an ad or an editorial for a magazine, usually they send me the moodboard and I can propose some changes or came up with my own idea for the shoot.

Elle:
Are there any photographers whose work and exhibitions you follow?